Heading for a catfight!

“A sports car-inspired design.”

“Rear end was taken from the F-PACE and front end from the F-TYPE.”

“The driver’s crossover is ready to face all contenders.”

“Huge potential to be Jaguar’s third best-selling vehicle after F-PACE and XE.”

If you just have a quick look at the automotive industry you will notice that it has changed over the past couple of years. How has it changed? All sports car manufacturers such as Bentley, Lamborghini, Maserati and even Jaguar have introduced their SUVs. Rolls-Royce and Bugatti are following too. The demand has really increased, and people want to drive crossovers or SUVs instead of normal sedans. But these SUVs and crossovers give the practicality and agility of an SUV and in some cases top-notch performance similar to super cars. That’s certainly the case with Jaguar.

We are all noticing a golden era for the whole Jaguar Land Rover Group since the Indian group TATA acquired it. TATA are managing the finances and Jaguar’s execs (designers and engineers) are doing what they are best at doing. Since the F-PACE (E-PACE’s bigger sibling) was introduced in 2016, Jaguar discovered a high potential and desirability from their loyal customers toward SUVs. The F-PACE gave them the appetite to introduce last year the I-PACE, which is Jaguar’s first electric crossover, and afterwards the E-PACE, the third SUV in the lineup from Jaguar.

Exterior
The exterior design is characterized by the distinctive Jaguar grille, muscular proportions, short overhangs and powerful haunches, while optional 21-inch alloy wheels give the E-PACE a bold and purposeful stance, instantly communicating dynamic agility. Jaguar sports car DNA is also evident in the fast sweep of the roofline and the distinctive side window graphics.

Interior
The E-PACE has exceptional interior space. The compact SUV is 4,395 mm long with short front and rear overhangs of 882 mm and 832 mm respectively. Its 2,681 mm wheelbase seats five in absolute comfort and yields generous rear legroom of 892 mm while the large luggage capacity of 577 liters is made possible by the vehicle’s sophisticated Integral Link rear suspension architecture.

Features, high-tech and infotainment
Digital connectivity can be found throughout the cabin, ready for every need of the modern family. There are up to four 12-volt charging points and five USB connections as well as a 4G Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices.

Every E-PACE features the latest generation of Jaguar’s Touch Pro infotainment system as standard. Natural voice control technology, a 10-inch touchscreen interface and a customizable home screen make interactions with the system quick, simple and highly intuitive.

An optional 12.3-inch full color digital TFT instrument panel and choice of two premium audio systems developed with Meridian put the E-PACE on par with vehicles from the class above when it comes to interior technology. Also available is next-generation thin-film transistor (TFT) head-up display technology.

The E-PACE is also the only vehicle in its segment available with an innovative wearable Activity Key, allowing the driver to lock the main key inside the vehicle when enjoying outdoor pursuits such as running or cycling.

Every E-PACE features, as standard, the Touch Pro infotainment system, LED headlights and a rearview camera system as well as advanced driver assistance systems including cruise control and speed limiter, front and rear parking aid and emergency braking.

Drivetrains
The E-PACE’s Active Driveline all-wheel drive system is a technological first for Jaguar. The intelligent set-up combines phenomenal traction with Jaguar’s unmistakable rear-wheel drive character. The system’s torque-biasing capability delivers optimal stability, dynamics and fuel efficiency in all conditions.

New chassis hardware, including the Integral Link rear suspension layout, has allowed Jaguar’s engineers to maximize interior space and deliver the responsiveness and agility required without compromising ride comfort.

The E-PACE is available with S, SE and HSE specification packs, in core or R-Dynamic body styles, and a choice of two petrol engines. The 2.0-liter four-cylinder Ingenium petrol turbo units deliver 250 horsepower or 300 horsepower.

Driving impressions
I took it for a spin around Corsica’s best roads where WRC special stages used to take place. Inspired by the F-TYPE and F-PACE, the new baby SUV from Jaguar drives like a sports car and has the character traits of an SUV. It is so stable on tight corners to a point where I felt that this baby SUV wanted me to push it more. Much of my drive was conducted in Dynamic mode, not because the other modes (Normal, Eco and Rain, Ice and Snow) weren’t up to the task but because Dynamic was the one most suitable for the wet road conditions in some parts of Corsica island.

Jumping inside the E-PACE made me think initially that I was riding in an SUV that could be a rival of the Audi Q5 or Mercedes GLC. It felt so spacious and even the dimensions are bigger than the actual rivals (Q3, GLA, X1, etc.…). The E-PACE reminded me of the F-PACE when we first drove it back in Montenegro. We couldn’t actually define its exact segment or category. It is bigger than the Porsche Macan and smaller than the Cayenne. That’s the case with the E-PACE. It felt bigger than the Audi Q3 and smaller than the Audi Q5.

Verdict
Many of you have been asking us about it via our social media platform but If you’d like to sample one for yourself, the E-PACE is already available at all dealerships around the Middle East and GCC. Although I really liked the F-PACE I didn’t expect such a smaller segment of SUVs or crossovers to blow my mind. Is it the roads chosen by Jaguar’s team, or the combination of the sporty character with Corsica’s best roads? The E-PACE will surely draw newcomers to the brand like the Evoque did seven years ago!

Rivals: Audi Q3, Volvo XC40, BMW X1, BMW X2, Mercedes GLA, Infiniti QX30, Porsche Macan
Pros: Excellent handling, comfortable for both the driver and co-driver, pleasant exhaust sound note
Cons: Cozy back seats
4.5 stars
one word: outstanding

Specs
P250 AWD
2.0L turbo, 4-cylinder, 250 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 365 Nm @ 1,200-4,500 rpm
9-speed automatic, AWD
0-100 km/h: 7.4 secs, top speed: 230 km/h, fuel consumption: 7.7L/100 km
Weight: 1,800 kg

P300 AWD
2.0L turbo, 4-cylinder, 300 hp @ 5,500 rpm, 365 Nm @ 1,500-4,500 rpm
9-speed automatic, AWD
0-100 km/h: 6.4 secs, top speed: 243 km/h, fuel consumption: 8L/100 km
Weight: 1,800 kg